University of New Mexico Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Records, 1919–2000
Collection
Identifier: UNMA 130
Scope and Content Note
The collection is organized into five series: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Institute of Meteoritics; Harding Pegmatite Mine; Photographs; and Oversized Materials. Materials within each series are arranged alphabetically.
The collection contains the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences records, agreements, reports, correspondence, awards, newspaper articles, photographs and color slides. Also included are information and reports about the Harding Pegmatite Mine property which was donated to the University of New Mexico by Dr. Arthur Montgomery.
The collection contains the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences records, agreements, reports, correspondence, awards, newspaper articles, photographs and color slides. Also included are information and reports about the Harding Pegmatite Mine property which was donated to the University of New Mexico by Dr. Arthur Montgomery.
Dates
- 1919-2000
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Historical Note
The Department of Geology, now known as the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, was established in 1897. Expansion of the geology program has been continuous since its inception, with the first master's degree awarded in 1930 and the first doctorate in 1962. In 1941, Dr. Frederick C. Leonard published a short paper in Contributions of the Society for Research on Meteorites entitled "The Need for an Institution for Research on Meteorites." The University of New Mexico responded to this call by founding the Institute of Meteoritics in 1944, the first of its kind in the world. The department moved into its newly constructed building, Northrop Hall, in 1954. In recent years, the geology and planetary sciences program has experienced accelerated growth, making it the largest in the state.
The Harding Pegmatite Mine is located in the mountains outside of Dixon, New Mexico. A pegmatite is a body of coarse-grained igneous rock in which the primary mineral components are feldspar, quartz, and mica. The first phase of the mine’s development ran from 1918 to around 1930, during which time the mineral being extracted was lepidolite, a source of the element lithium. In 1942, geologist Arthur Montgomery discovered rich deposits of the tantalum-bearing minerals microlite and columbite-tantalite embedded in the pegmatite. He started mining these minerals, first leasing and later purchasing the mine from its previous owners. During the Second World War, there was a high demand in the United States for tantalum because it was needed for the production of radios for the armed services. The tantalum phase of mining went from 1942 to 1947. The final phase of mining involved the extraction of beryl and went from 1950 to 1958. In 1974, Montgomery donated the non-operating mine to UNM’s Department of Geology as a field laboratory.
The Harding Pegmatite Mine is located in the mountains outside of Dixon, New Mexico. A pegmatite is a body of coarse-grained igneous rock in which the primary mineral components are feldspar, quartz, and mica. The first phase of the mine’s development ran from 1918 to around 1930, during which time the mineral being extracted was lepidolite, a source of the element lithium. In 1942, geologist Arthur Montgomery discovered rich deposits of the tantalum-bearing minerals microlite and columbite-tantalite embedded in the pegmatite. He started mining these minerals, first leasing and later purchasing the mine from its previous owners. During the Second World War, there was a high demand in the United States for tantalum because it was needed for the production of radios for the armed services. The tantalum phase of mining went from 1942 to 1947. The final phase of mining involved the extraction of beryl and went from 1950 to 1958. In 1974, Montgomery donated the non-operating mine to UNM’s Department of Geology as a field laboratory.
Extent
4 boxes + 1 unboxed item (mining claim post) + 1 oversize map drawer
Abstract
The collection contains the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences records, agreements, reports, correspondence, awards, newspaper articles, photographs and color slides. Also included are information and reports about the Harding Pegmatite Mine property which was donated to the University of New Mexico by Dr. Arthur Montgomery.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the University of New Mexico Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Records, 1919-2000
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- UNM Archives Staff
- Date
- © 2016
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451